By Pranav Shahaney

28th Jan, 2023 | 9:01pm

West Ham United make transfer bid for Santos striker Marcos Leonardo

West Ham have reportedly made a loan-to-buy bid for Santos striker Marcos Leonardo ahead of the January window deadline.

According to Brazilian radio channel SBT Rio journalist Vene Casagrande, the initial loan fee was £2.6million with a purchase option of £9.6million and £880k in bonuses if he played in 60 per cent of the games along with a 10 per cent sell-on clause to secure his services.

However, Santos found the obligation difficult to achieve and turned down the offer for the 19-year-old Brazilian striker.

Via Twitter, Casagrande wrote, “Santos turned down West Ham’s proposal for Marcos Leonardo. The offer from the English team, made on 01/17, was: €3m loan fee + €11m on purchase + €1m bonus per year if you play 60% of games + 10% of future sales.”

“Santos didn’t agree because they thought the obligation was difficult to achieve.”

One for the future?

Leonardo is one to keep an eye on as he had a phenomenal 2021/22 campaign as he recorded impressive numbers for one of the country’s best sides

Last season, he featured in 57 games in all competitions and found the back of the net on 21 occasions and he also provided six assists.

If at 19 he’s doing such amazing work, it remains to be seen how well he does in the next three or four years.

West Ham surely are taking a punt on it due to his sky-high potential and we will not be surprised if they come in with another offer.

Michail Antonio has been linked with Wolves and he could leave given the fact that Danny Ings has joined from Aston Villa.

This could see the Hammers bringing in the Brazilian teenager as a backup option to Ings with Gianluca Scamacca being the first choice.